Chapter 19

Katie was dressed when Angel returned upstairs. "Want to have a tea party with me?" she asked him.

"Not right now. I have something else I'd like for you to do this morning," he told her.

"What?"

"After breakfast," he said.

When she was finished eating, she and Angel joined the group downstairs and Lorne suggested the impromptu mini-concert. Katherine was happy to oblige and they sang "Wherever You Go" for their tiny audience.

After the applause had died down, Angel motioned to the Berkles, who suggested to Katherine that they go to the park across the street. Katie was thrilled and off they went.

As the front door closed, all eyes were on Lorne.

Angel approached him. "Well?"

Lorne went to pour himself a drink. Angel followed closely. "Lorne? What did you see?"

He took a long swig and leaned against the desk behind him. "You were right. Her destiny is very specific, like yours."

"Like mine?"

Lorne looked Angel in the eye. "Exactly like yours."

Angel was getting impatient. "So what does that mean?"

"The two of you are connected. Completely. If you want to know the best way to take care of your daughter, then take care of yourself."

Angel frowned. "I don't follow."

"And I'm not sure you're ready to," Lorne told him.

"Lorne, I have to know why she's here. What her purpose is. Is she pivotal in some coming Apocalypse or what?" Angel asked.

Lorne stared in to his drink. "She's here for you, Bro. Just for you. When you won a second chance at life for Darla and it couldn't be granted, you were owed one. That little girl is payment. Her life is yours as long as you exist."

Realization sunk in. Angel sought out a chair and sat down slowly. "She's immortal?"

"As immortal as you, anyway," Lorne shrugged.

Angel thought about what this would mean. "She's someone I'll never have to lose," he said quietly.

He walked into his office and sat down behind his desk. Cordelia followed and came around to his side of the desk and leaned back on it, facing him.

"I don't think I've ever thought about what it must be like for you. I guess when you're eternal you eventually lose everyone, huh?"

Angel was still basically numb. "Pretty much," he managed to say.

"This definitely changes your basic parenting strategies. She can take candy from strangers, run with sharp objects, play with guns and, It's all good!" Cordelia pointed out.

Angel was not amused. "Being immortal isn't all it's cracked up to be. It can get pretty lonely. And there's a lot of responsibility. Just because you're safe, doesn't mean those around you are. She's going to have to learn to be careful for the sake of others."

Cordelia reassured him. "And she will. Angel, this is an incredible gift. Don't ruin it with a whole lot of worry and doubt. You and your daughter will never be lonely. You'll always have each other."

She reached down and took his hand. "And you have me. I may not always look as gorgeous as I do now, but I'm here. For as long as you want."

Angel smiled and squeezed her hand. "Thanks. I think I just need to sit here and soak some of this in."

She got up to leave. "I'll be around. We'll talk more."

As Angel sat and thought about the days revelations he was able to make peace with certain truths. One truth in particular stood out.

Life without Buffy didn't have to mean life without love.

He realized that another girl already owned his heart completely. That afternoon, Angel put on his best suit and nicest cologne. Armed with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, he knocked on her door.

She opened the door and beamed at the site of him.

He beamed right back. "Did someone say something about a tea party?"

Katherine jumped into his arms and he swung her high.

Life was good.

The End

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who read my story. It is my first fanfic, so please let me know what you thought. It could be that you think it should also be my last! I hope not as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks again.